While you may enjoy the convenience of time that a microwave brings you, they are certainly no picnic to clean. Sometimes it just isn’t feasible to clean it out after each use due to time constraints and that food ends up hardening and caking the surfaces. Instead of endlessly scrubbing or chipping away at the crusty residue, there are several methods in which you can use to make cleaning that microwave a breeze!
For those truly impossible spills, use a paste of two parts baking soda and one part water. Apply it to the nasty mess and let it sit for five minutes. You should be able to easily wipe off the baking soda and remove leftover residue with a paper towel. You can even do this step but kick it up a notch. Leave the baking soda paste inside, take your bowl of water and vinegar and steam for 3 minutes on high power. Don’t open the microwave door for at least 10 minutes so the steam has a chance to work its magic. Keep doing this until no baking soda residue is left.
Another interesting trick is to cut a lemon in half and place both halves cut-side down on a plate. Add a tablespoon of water and microwave for 1 minute. The steam helps loosen up food debris and the lemon acts as a natural cleanser. Even your standard dish soap in a bowl of warm water can help. Simply microwave for 1 minute and remove the bowl. The inside should be easily wiped with a damp sponge.
The most important thing to remember is that no matter what tip you use, ALWAYS take out your turntable to wash separately. It should be washed in your sink or dishwasher with warm, soapy water. You can even let it soak for awhile.
Don’t forget to give the outside of your microwave a good wash down every once in awhile. The handle and control pad can get especially grimy. Another option to protect the inside of your microwave is to buy a microwave-safe food cover. These are fantastic because all food splatter ends up on the inside of the cover instead of all over the microwave. They even make ones with magnets on the top so you can keep it stuck to roof of your microwave. Simply wash it like you would a dish.
